Review: The Godfather by Mario Puzo

Title: The Godfather
Author: Mario Puzo
Date Published: 1969
Series: N/A
Genre: Mystery/Saga
Rating: A
ISBN:0-451-16771-6

Like many of my reads the past month or so, The Godfather is a re-read for me. It had been years, however, so in essence it was as if I was reading it for the first time all over again. I'd forgotten what an intricate and detailed story Mario Puzo had woven for us. I guess I shouldn't have since a 479 page book managed to become two movies.

Some authors would not be able to pull off the usage of so much present story to back story leading up to the present story that Puzo uses throughout the book. He manages to accomplish it, though, without making the story choppy or disorientating. What's more, the way he utilizes this tool makes sense and helps the saga all the more coherent.

We learn how Vito Corleone came to be in America, his own father killed, and how he became a Don known as The Godfather somewhat unwittingly. We get to know quite well two of his sons, Sonny and Michael. Freddy remains somewhat of a mystery even the glimpses we get of him in his new life out west.

We follow the Corleone family as they deal with difficult times and trying to keep the family business afloat when it faces attacks. Of course, their methods of dealing with things aren't what most people would consider normal, but it's the world they live in and the reader is brought into that world, made to believe in it.

Michael's ascension to power is well written, and his plan to cement his place in all of the mafia is brilliantly thought through and executed. There isn't much doubt in the reader's mind when the book is closed that Michael is his father's son and the one best suited for the family business after all.

There are several secondary characters, including Connie, the Corleone daughter, Tom Hagen, the "adopted" son of Vito Corleone, Johnny Fontane, Vito's godson who is out west in Hollywood trying to make it big with singing and movies. There are others, members of the Corleone regime and some on the Las Vegas side of the story. All add to the story without making the reader feel as if their drowning in yet more people to learn about or familiarize themselves with. Each of these characters plays a part, after all, even if that part isn't clear to the reader from the start.

Overall, a well-written book that gave us strong characters to keep the pages turning. If you've seen the movies, I'd highly recommend the book. As good as the first two movies were the book still manages to outdo them.